Everything you need to know to start your LASIK journey.
LASIK Explained
LASIK or (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a common eye surgery that is used to correct vision. LASIK surgery is the most frequently performed elective surgery in North America and is extremely safe. Our surgeons have been performing LASIK surgery at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center for decades and have continued to be renowned for their excellent care.
LASIK surgery uses a laser, known as an excimer laser, to alter the shape of the patient’s cornea. With the use of the laser, we are able to reshape your cornea to the precise measurement needed to correct your vision. This surgery has shown incredible results in being able to reduce, and often eliminate, the need for glasses and contact lenses. Come in for a Free LASIK Consultation to see if LASIK eye surgery in Flagstaff is right for you.
LASIK Surgery in Flagstaff
Most people are surprised by how quick and easy LASIK eye surgery is. LASIK is an outpatient surgery and usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Not only is it fast, but it is also safe and virtually painless. The LASIK procedure in Flagstaff is customized to meet the unique vision goals of each patient.
Before the procedure, topical anesthetic drops are used to numb the eyes to help prevent any discomfort. In some cases medication may also be approved to help the patient relax. After the drops are placed, a lid speculum is used to keep the eyes from blinking and a femtosecond laser creates a thin flap over the cornea. During the surgery corneal tissue is removed using a specialized excimer laser. The LASIK process helps light focus on the retina, which improves vision. Once the cornea is reshaped, the flap is replaced over the tissue that was removed. The cornea will then heal naturally.
Advanced LASIK Technology
The ophthalmologist at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center in Flagstaff are always at the forefront of technology and offer patients the highest quality of care. During your LASIK surgery, they use highly specialized lasers called excimer lasers to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors.
Femtosecond Lasers are used at the Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center in Flagstaff to create the initial flap. These lasers are the pinnacle of laser technology development. This laser creates the flap to extremely precise dimensions, helping it conform to your eye’s unique anatomy and ensuring the flap fits back in place securely.
Wavefront-guided lasers are used in LASIK eye surgery to allow surgeons to map defects in the optical system of the eye. These devices show how light travels through the eye and help to produce a custom LASIK treatment plan for each patient.
A German Engineered Wavelight Allegretto Wave Eye-Q laser is then used to fix each eye’s visual imperfections. It is highly specialized and capable of preserving the natural curvature of the cornea, which prevents unwanted side effects including poor night vision or halos.
LASIK Recovery
After the surgery, your eyes may feel a bit irritated or may be watery for a couple of hours. Please plan to have a ride home after your LASIK eye surgery in our Flagstaff office. It is normal to have blurry vision following the surgery, which typically improves within a day or two. The majority of patients feel comfortable after taking a short nap. You will also be given protective eye shields to prevent you from rubbing your eyes, particularly while you sleep.
Most patients will notice their vision improving significantly within a few days of having a LASIK procedure, some even noticing same-day results. We encourage all of our patients to get plenty of rest and follow our doctor’s instructions about any medications prescribed. You should refrain from rubbing your eyes or participating in vigorous physical activity for at least a week. Some doctors recommend taking a day or two off from work but many people are able to return to work the next day.
LASIK COST
The cost of LASIK can be affordable. While it is considered an elective surgery, it can be a great investment in comparison to the years of costs related to contacts and glasses. Try our LASIK Savings Calculator to see how much LASIK could save you over time.
LASIK could save you
$0.00*
on glasses & contacts
over your lifetime
over your lifetime
*Calculation includes $50 for contact lens solution, glasses case, and other miscellaneous items per year; $130 (per year) for a pair of prescription readers for anyone 45 years or older. Annual exams are not included in the calculation. We have factored in the average US lifespan of 79 years. Your numbers may vary.
FINANCING OPTIONS
Our patients have many options to help make the cost of LASIK more affordable. You can ask one of our patient counselors about custom payment options to pay for the cost of LASIK in installments. One option we offer is CareCredit. Learn more about CareCredit and how you can finance your LASIK procedure at your own pace.
INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY AND PAYING OUT OF POCKET
LASIK eye surgery is almost always considered an elective or cosmetic surgery, which means many insurance companies do not cover the cost of LASIK. Most patients end up paying for the majority (if not all) of the procedure out of pocket. It’s still very much worth asking your insurance company about your options and if your policy includes a benefit for advanced vision correction. Each person’s needs and circumstances are different.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS (TAX FREE DOLLARS)
Your employer may offer flexible spending accounts to help offset medical expenses. These accounts may allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain medical costs, including money to cover the cost of LASIK. You can ask your employer if this is an option under your benefits. Many professions also find that LASIK is a worthwhile investment for being able to best fulfill their occupation.
Cheap LASIK?
You’ve probably seen or heard ads offering LASIK for extremely low prices. Many LASIK centers in Arizona may attempt to sell you on “cheap LASIK”. Unfortunately, the truth is that in most of these cases, the cost of LASIK they advertise is not realistic to what actually ends up being charged or you may find that the price applies to very few people with limited prescriptions. At BDP LASIK, the cost of your procedure will never go up based on your unique vision needs.
Our experienced surgeons in Flagstaff provide safe, consistent results for our patients. Our team is specialized in all types of vision correction procedures, so you can rest assured that you will never feel pressured to have LASIK. Our talented team will be able to help you find the procedure that fits best into your eyes’ needs and your lifestyle. Since LASIK may not be the best option for everyone, we offer Free LASIK Consultations in order for you to see if LASIK eye surgery is right for you.
Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center has also been voted the #1 Eye Care Center by Ranking Arizona for eight years in a row.
Hear from our real LASIK patients.
Get first-hand accounts from our real LASIK patients as they talk about LASIK and their experience with us at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center.
Cameo Cross
Nathan Johnson
Michael Maske
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